How does the Dining plan at Disneyland work?

[dnsmills]

The DW and I are taking our nieces to DL & DCA the first week of June. Bummed to miss out on Cars Land but that's a different story. Now, the DW and I have been to WDW in Orlando twice and going again in December and are familiar with how the dining plan out there works but I know the dining plan at DL/DCA works differently. So, experienced DL/DCA goers, how does it work? We got a 4 day hopper pass with the 4 day Minnie Dining. I know it has something to do with vouchers. I think we have 3 character vouchers and 1 premier character dining voucher. Do we HAVE to use them for character dining? Can we use them at other restaurants? Quick Service or Table Service? Is each voucher worth a certain amount or is each voucher worth a dinner, drink & dessert (like at WDW)? Our 60 day window to make ADRs opens in about 2 weeks and I need to get a plan together. Our package with everything from Disney vacations should be here within the next week or two. Any help is appreciated.

 

[sonnyjane]

How does the Dining plan at Disneyland work? Poorly

Unfortunately you asked this question too late, so I can't convince you not to buy it. But, I can tell you how it works.

As you said, you don't get meals, you actually get vouchers. For easier example, I'll use the 6 meal plan for $106. You pay $106 and get exactly $106 in vouchers, there is no savings. You get two $33 vouchers for character meals, two $15 vouchers, and two $5 vouchers. These are used like cash. You just go to a restaurant and pay with them like cash. The only rub is that you do NOT get change, so if your meal is only $13 and you pay with a $15 voucher, you will NOT get $2 change back, so to make sure you're not throwing away money, you want to make sure that you use a voucher that is less than the total of your meal and just pay cash for the rest. The $33 vouchers say they are for character meals, but you can use them at any restaurant, whether sit-down or counter-service, inside the parks (not in Downtown Disney). You can also combine them to pay for your meal, so if you're meal is $70, you can use two $33 vouchers and pay the rest with cash.

As you can see, this isn't really convenient and they aren't recommended, but since you've already purchased them, just remember you do not get change, so use them wisely.

 

[skiingfast]

You will get a package of vouchers for each person. You can use these vouchers in any way you like, and at any disney location. Not DTD but in the parks and hotels. The vouchers have a value on each. You can apply that voucher to the price of any meal but won't recieve change.

If you hand over a voucher for more than the cost of the purchase be it a TS or snack, you loose that value. If you use a lower priced voucher than the cost of the purchase, you need to pay the difference. The vouchers can even be used toward tips at TS locations.

You can read this account of how a family made them work out without loosing money.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40974724&postcount=420

 

[dnsmills]

Thanks for the info. Another question: Is the Premier Character Dining voucher worth the same amount as the normal Character Dining voucher?

 

[sonnyjane]

Thanks for the info. Another question: Is the Premier Character Dining voucher worth the same amount as the normal Character Dining voucher?

No. Regular is currently $33, Premium is currently $40. The snacks are $5.

Here is what comes with the Minnie Plan:


Minnie’s 4-Day Dine in the Magic Plan

2012 - Adult/Junior $219.00. Child (ages 3 - 9) $132.00

With this plan, each person will receive:

Adult (10 and Up)
3-Character Dining Vouchers* ($33)
1-Premium Character Dining** ($40)
4-$15 Dining Certificates
4-Snack Vouchers ($5)

Child (3-9)
3-Character Dining Vouchers*
1-Premium Character Dining**
4-$10 Dining Certificates
4-Snack Vouchers

ETA: Basically look at it as though you're getting $219 cash, and use them however you like, making sure that you don't spend less than the value of the voucher because you won't get change.

 

[cmwade77]

I believe you are still within your cancellation windows, where you can make changes without penalty (please confirm this before doing this), if this is indeed the case, I would STRONGLY recommend removing the dining vouchers. As other posters have pointed out, they limit you and there are no savings with them.

 

[coaches24]

I believe you are still within your cancellation windows, where you can make changes without penalty (please confirm this before doing this), if this is indeed the case, I would STRONGLY recommend removing the dining vouchers. As other posters have pointed out, they limit you and there are no savings with them.

This is my advice as well. Cancel the dining plan and get your money back now while there are no penalties.

 

[dnsmills]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! That info will help us so much. So, here's another question: When we talked to someone at the Dining phone number, she mentioned that we can't use the Premier Character voucher at Ariels Grotto but that we can use regular vouchers. Is that right? What I would LIKE to do is do the Ariels Grotto dinner World of Color dinner package. The girls said they wanted to do a princess character dining and I really want to make sure we have good seats for the World of Color show and am hoping to combine both. Is that possible? Thanks.

 

[skiingfast]

Our 60 day window to make ADRs opens in about 2 weeks and I need to get a plan together.

Don't feel too rushed. Reservations are very easy to get at DLR on all but the busiest days. Only Napa Rose fills up quicker than other locations. For most you can make them a month, week or day ahead of time.

 

[dnsmills]

I believe you are still within your cancellation windows, where you can make changes without penalty (please confirm this before doing this), if this is indeed the case, I would STRONGLY recommend removing the dining vouchers. As other posters have pointed out, they limit you and there are no savings with them.

This is my advice as well. Cancel the dining plan and get your money back now while there are no penalties.

I know we're going to eat at Ariels Grotto, Steakhouse 55, Blue Bayou and Plaza Inn so I feel comfortable that we will end up using all of our certificates. If I had known beforehand how it worked I probably wouldn't have done it but since it's done, I'll just leave it as is. I know we'll end up using them all.

 

[skiingfast]

we can't use the Premier Character voucher at Ariels Grotto but that we can use regular vouchers. Is that right? What I would LIKE to do is do the Ariels Grotto dinner World of Color dinner package.

You have things a little mixed up here. First the Ariels Grotto Princess meals are for breakfast and lunch, the WoC meal is for dinner.

This is why the AG Character meals can't be applies to the WoC package, as was told to you over the phone. You can apply the value of that voucher to the dinner if you want.

 

[sonnyjane]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! That info will help us so much. So, here's another question: When we talked to someone at the Dining phone number, she mentioned that we can't use the Premier Character voucher at Ariels Grotto but that we can use regular vouchers. Is that right? What I would LIKE to do is do the Ariels Grotto dinner World of Color dinner package. The girls said they wanted to do a princess character dining and I really want to make sure we have good seats for the World of Color show and am hoping to combine both. Is that possible? Thanks.

You cannot use the dining plan vouchers for World of Color packages.

***Voucher not valid for World of Color Dinner Packages at Ariel's Grotto and Wine Country Trattoria from 5:00 to 9:00PM.

Vouchers are not redeemable for cash and are non-transferable. May be applied up to its retail price at any Full Service or Counter-Service restaurant. Not valid for alcoholic beverages., tobacco products, room service, holiday buffets and merchandise. No change given. Not valid at restaurants or outdoor carts in the Downtown Disney® District. Daily operating hours may vary. May not be used for admission or towards the price of admission to any Disneyland® Resort theme park. Separate theme park admission may be necessary. Not valid in combination with other discounts or promotions. Restaurant seating is subject to availability - reservations are recommended. All dining locations, hours, menus and character experiences, an all elements are subject to change without notice.



So, as skiingfast said, there are no princesses at the Ariel's Grotto dinner, and you can't use the dining vouchers if you do the WOC package. You can just use them for regular dinner though without WOC. Also, I want to make sure you are aware that there is NO seating for World of Color, whether you get the dining package or not. Everyone stands. The dining package just means you stand in the more centralized viewing area compared to those that get the free passes from the machines.

 

[dnsmills]

Uggh, my head is spinning. I'll have to look over the pricing at the places I know we'll go and see if it's even worth it to cancel the dining. Like I said, I know some of the places we're going and will have to see how much $ I can plan to spend on each place. The dining packages at WDW are so much easier to deal with!

So, if we do the AG lunch character meal, what is the best way to ensure good seats for the WoC show? Get a FastPass as soon as we get to the park? How fast do they go?

 

[sonnyjane]

Uggh, my head is spinning. I'll have to look over the pricing at the places I know we'll go and see if it's even worth it to cancel the dining. Like I said, I know some of the places we're going and will have to see how much $ I can plan to spend on each place. The dining packages at WDW are so much easier to deal with!

So, if we do the AG lunch character meal, what is the best way to ensure good seats for the WoC show? Get a FastPass as soon as we get to the park? How fast do they go?

As we all said, if you can still cancel the dining plan portion, I absolutely would. You're not saving a red cent, but you're creating a hassle of having to think about it. I'd rather have $219 in cash in my pocket than $219 in vouchers that I can't use everywhere and don't give me change. Knowing what you do now, if you can cancel, I think it would be foolish not to. If you CAN'T cancel, that's another thing, but if you can, "get out now" lol.

Regarding WOC, read this: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2542717&highlight=woc+superthread

I'd just get a FP for free from the machines. You shouldn't have trouble getting a good one if you go in the morning or early afternoon. The key to a good spot isn't in the FP, it's in how early you line up before the show.

 

[skiingfast]

You should look at food prices here. http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm

At WoC information here. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37986447

Then read the thread I linked in my first reply.

 

[dnsmills]

That is some great info. Thanks! Has anyone done the WoC picnic deal and if so how as the food and is it worth it? Would I be just as good getting a WoC FP?

 

[sonnyjane]

Would I be just as good getting a WoC FP?

Yes. With the picnic, you get a yellow FP, same one you can get for free from the machine. No need to pay extra for the picnic.

 

[skiingfast]

That is some great info. Thanks! Has anyone done the WoC picnic deal and if so how as the food and is it worth it? Would I be just as good getting a WoC FP?

It's not hard to get a WoC Show Pass from the GRR distribution. If you can't make it into DCA in the morning or early afternoon then the meals are a good alternative.

The picnics are served cold, a negative for many people. I've had a few and think they are great. Not a big meal, not tiny either. You can pick them up from 11:30am to an hour before the first show, so they can make lunch or dinner. The couple I've tried were very good IMO.

 

[cmwade77]

That is some great info. Thanks! Has anyone done the WoC picnic deal and if so how as the food and is it worth it? Would I be just as good getting a WoC FP?

The food is.....
acceptable, at best and cannot be customized, even for dietary restrictions.

The problem that I have is that there are items in each meal that I like, but none of the meals completely as they are.

In addition, I like my food to be hot (even at a picnic, we would have hot food).

That being said, the reusable bags are cool and they will give you one per meal, if you ask for them.

Honestly though, I think the better food is Ariel's Grotto and you get better viewing.

 

[dnsmills]

Thanks to you all for such great info. This definitely answered some questions I had and helped me know what I need to do for my next planning step. With a DLR trip in June & WDW trip in December, I have a lot of planning to do (although after 2 previous trips to WDW, I have a lot of experience under my belt there).